1.

0 Introduction

Speed is the rate of movement of a vehicle, generally expressed in kilometres per hour.

A spot speed study is a study of traffic speed at one point or spot on a traffic way. It consists
of a series or a sample of observations of the individual speeds at which vehicles are
approaching an intersection or passing a point at a non-intersection location. These
observations are used to estimate the speed distribution of the entire traffic stream at that
location, under the conditions prevailing at the time of the study.

Spot speed studies can be used to study speeds at problem locations in order to determine
whether speeds are too high and if complaints received are justified, for accident analysis in
order to determine the relationship of speed to accidents which may help in developing
corrective measures, and for before-and-after studies in order to evaluate the effect of some
change in controls or conditions,

In relation with this study, there has been several complaints of vehicles speeding along the

UTHM-Fujitsu section of road. This poses a danger to motorists, pedestrians and cyclists as
there is a lot of activity in the area. Furthermore, there is plenty of right-turning movements
along this stretch of road, with no storage lanes provided for right-turners. This is dangerous
because the right-turners stop on the fast lane and have no protection.

2.0 Objective

The objectives of this study are:

a) To determine the speed characteristics of traffic at the location.

b) To justify the problem of speeding at the location.
3.0 Apparatus

Odometer, 2 cone, stopwatch, safety vest

Figure 3.0(a): Odometer

Figure 3.0(b): Cone

Figure 3.0(c): Safety vest

4.0 Procedure

1. Identify the spot at which the speed data will be collected.

2. Use the cone and stopwatch for time taken to measure the speed of vehicles according to
their respective vehicle class Class 1 (Motorcycles), Class 2 (Cars), Class 3 (Vans & Medium
Trucks), and Class 4 (Large Trucks & Buses).

3. The distance for data to be collected is measured with odometer from starting point to desired
distance

Figure (a): Distance measured using odometer

4. Cone was placed at initial starting point and at the end of spot which data will be collected.

Figure (b): Cone placed at starting point

4. Vehicle entered starting point at initial cone and the taken is started.

5. Vehicle pass through second cone the time taken is stopped and the time for the vehicle
travel is recorded.

3. All speed measurements were recorded in Form SS1.

4. Based on Form SS1, determine the mean, maximum and minimum speed of vehicles
according to their class. Comment on your findings.

5. Transfer the data in Form SS1 to Form SS2.

6. Plot the following:

a) Frequency Histogram (Percentage of vehicles vs. Speed)

b) Frequency Distribution Curve (Percentage of vehicles vs. Speed)
c) Cumulative Frequency Distribution Curve (Cumulative percentage vs. Speed)

7. Determine the following speed characteristics:

a) Mean speed
b) Median speed
c) Mode speed
d) 85-th Percentile speed
e) Standard deviation
f) Pace

8. Comment on your findings.

9. Does your findings justify the problem of speeding at the location? If it does, what are your
recommendations?
5.0 Data Analysis & Results

Form SS1

Location: Jalan Utama Hadapan Dataran Penyu.

Date: 9/10/2017 Time: 3.00 PM Weather: Sunny

Spot speed (km/h)

Tim
Vehicle class
e
1 2 3 4

56.20 54.86 54.86 57.60 37.77 45.18 51.20 76.80 32.91 37.77

53.58 69.81 49.02 76.8 36.57 41.89 46.08 45.18 45.18

46.08 56.20 76.8 57.60 46.08 46.08 28.44 36.57
56.20 41.89 62.27 38.40 37.77 53.58
76.80 51.20 53.58 69.81 67.76 51.20
45.18 53.58 72.00 37.16 41.89 41.89 74.32 41.89 37.16 40.42
36.57 72.00 51.20 57.60 69.82 46.08 35.44 38.4 31.56 37.16
3.15
69.82 51.20 57.60 53.58 46.08 41.89 27.76
PM
69.82 51.20 41.89 34.38 41.89 36.57
54.86 74.32 41.89 44.31 36.57 64.00
49.02 48.00 53.58 44.31 51.20 76.80 54.86 76.80 28.44 28.44
76.80 51.20 54.86 76.80 40.42 54.86 76.80 41.89 26.18
3.30
72.00 44.31 67.76 45.18 40.42 44.31 32.00 35.44
PM
54.86 67.76 54.86 53.58 43.47 37.16
72.00 54.86 54.86 49.02 72.00 40.42
57.60 72.00 72.00 54.86 40.42 53.58 72.00 72.00 28.10 37.77
72.00 54.86 49.02 72.00 41.89 34.39 36.57 32.00
3.45
54.86 44.31 76.8 49.02 49.02 35.45
PM
51.20 48.00 62.27 62.27 59.08 51.20
72.00 59.08 49.02 41.14 49.02 49.02
 Form SS2

Speed Upper Class Class Cumulative fx fx2 Percentage Cumulative

class limit Mid frequency, frequency. in class Percentage
(km/h) (km/h) value, f F
x
(km/h)
04 4.5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
59 9.5 7 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 14 14.5 12 0 0 0 0 0 0
15 - 19 19.5 17 0 0 0 0 0 0
20 24 24.5 22 0 0 0 0 0 0
25 29 29.5 27 6 6 162 4374 3.9 3.9
30 34 34.5 32 4 10 128 4096 2.6 6.5
35 39 39.5 37 21 31 147 28749 13.7 20.2
40 44 44.5 42 17 48 714 29988 11.1 31.3
45 49 49.5 47 27 75 1269 59643 17.6 48.9
50 54 54.5 52 31 106 1612 83824 20.4 69.3
55 59 59.5 57 13 119 741 42237 8.6 77.9
60 64 64.5 62 8 127 496 30752 5.2 83.1
65 - 69 69.5 67 8 135 536 35912 5.2 88.3
70 -74 74.5 72 10 145 720 51840 6.5 94.8
75 - 79 79.5 77 8 153 616 47432 5.2 100.0
Total 153 7141 418847 100
Formula

1. Mean speed

f = frequency of observations in the particular class

u = mid-point of each class

n = total number of observations = f

i i
= i

2. Median speed

3. Median

L = lower limit of the class in which the median lies

n = total number of observations

fL = cumulative number of observation up to the lower limit of the class in which the median
lies

fm= number of observations in the class in which the median lies

C = speed interval of the group

3. Varience

( i i )^2
i (i ^2)
i
Variance S2 = i1
4. Standard deviation

Standard Deviation, S = variance

Terminology

Pace = the 10 km/h range in speed in which the highest number of observation was recorded

85th Percentile Speed = the speed at or below which 85 percent of the motorists drive on a
given road unaffected by slower traffic or poor weather

Calculations and Results

1. Class 1 (Motorcycles)
Mean speed: 58.94 km/h
Maximum speed: 76.8 km/h
Minimum speed: 36.57 km/h

Class 2 (Cars)
Mean speed: 39.39 km/h
Maximum speed: 60.00 km/h
Minimum speed: 28.13 km/h

Class 3 (Vans & Medium Trucks)

Mean speed: 59.72 km/h
Maximum speed: 76.80 km/h
Minimum speed: 38.4km/h

Class 4 (Heavy Trucks & Buses)

Mean speed: 29.54 km/h
Maximum speed: 45.18 km/h
Minimum speed: 27.76 km/h

All Vehicle Types

Mean speed: 46.67 km/h
Maximum speed: 76.80 km/h
 Minimum speed: 27.76 km/h

Comment:
2.

a) Median

( )
2
Median = Lm + ( )C

(n/2) = (153/2) = 76.5 at class (45-49)

(76.5)45
Median = 44.5 + ( ) (5)
27

Median = 50.33

b) Mean

Mean

i i
= i

7141
= 153

= 46.67 km/hr

c) Mode

1
Mode = Lm + (1+2)C

Lm = Class (50-54) = 49.5

d1= 31-27 = 4

d2 = 31-13 = 18

4
Mode = 49.5 + (4+18)5

Mode = 50.41
d) Varience

( i i )^2
i (i ^2)
2 i
Variance S = i1

(7141)^2
(418847)
Variance S2 = 153
1531

Variance S2 = 562.85

e) Standard deviation

Standard Deviation, S = variance

Standard Deviation, S = 562.85

Standard Deviation, S = 23.72

f) 85th percentile speed

g) Pace

6.0 disscusion

7.0 conclusion

8.0 references